Optimized station to estimate atmospheric integrated water vapor levels using GNSS signals and meteorology parameters

Abstract

The atmospheric meteorology parameters of the earth, such as temperature, pressure, and humidity, strongly influence the propagation of signals in Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSSs). The propagation delays associated with GNSS signals can be modeled and explained based on the atmospheric temperature, pressure, and humidity, as well as the locations of the satellites and receivers. In this paper, we propose an optimized and simplified low cost GNSS base weather station that can be used to provide a global estimate of the integrated water vapor value. Our algorithm can be used to measure the zenith tropospheric delay based on the measured propagation delays in the received signals. We also present the results of the data measurements performed at our station located in the Tlemcen region of Algeria.